FAQs

What are the benefits of double glazing, and what products can be double glazed?
What does Aluminium Improved mean?
What are the differences between aluminium frame sizes and stud sizes and why?
What window and door products can be screened?
How do I fit flyscreens?
How do I replace Rollers to Sliding Doors and to Sliding Sashes?
What do u’values and shgc values mean, where can i find information about ratings on these for your timber and aluminium products?
What are BAL ratings, and how does your aluminium and timber products perform for each of these ratings?
How do you use Brick ties?
Where can I view your product and what are the showroom opening hours?
Is the timber for the Canterbury timber products sourced from sustainable forests?
How do I decide what sort of timber to use?
What different kinds of glass can you provide for your aluminium and/or timber windows?
Do you manufacture non-standard windows?
Do you have ready-made windows in stock?
Can I make changes to my order once it has been placed?

What are the benefits of double glazing, and what products can be double glazed?

There are numerous benefits to choosing a double glazed window and perhaps the most significant is the insulation properties. Double glazing reduces the loss of heat from the home during winter and keeping the heat out during summer, meaning you can save a significant amount on your heating/cooling bills. With many different choices of glass available this also assists with the U-value & SHGC of the window.

Double glazing also assists in reducing the amount of ambient noise that enters your home. This is obviously a great choice if you live close to train lines, on a busy street or just want a little bit more peace in your home.

For more information about the benefits of Double Glazing, download our booklet "All About Double Glazing"

What does Aluminium Improved mean?

Aluminium improved windows are basically aluminium frames that surpass a particular point of energy efficiency (amount of light let in and heat gain/loss.)

An aluminium improved frame is defined as one with a U-value of 8.0 W/m2.K or less. This may be achieved by a variety of design improvements, some (or all) of which may be present. Therefore a U-value of 8 or less, derived from a WERS rating, shall be the sole criterion for classifying a window as 'thermally improved.'

What are the differences between aluminium frame sizes and stud sizes and why?

Aluminium Frame Size: This refers to the overall size of the aluminium frame ordered.

Stud sizes for aluminium product: Refer to the overall size of the aluminium frame coupled with the addition of the timber reveals and clearance.

Timber Frame Size: This refers to the overall size of the timber frame ordered.

Stud sizes for timber product: Refer to the overall size of the timber frame with the addition of clearance.

When viewing a quote for aluminium or timber product, it is important to note that the sizes shown on the quote are for the aluminium frame size only.

As the stud sizes differ from the frame sizes, it is our policy to advise customers to allow an extra 60mm for height and 50mm for width for aluminium product and 10mm for height and 20mm for width for timber product. This is referred to as the stud size or stud opening.

If you are uncertain of your products finished stud size please request a stud schedule from your representative.

What window and door products can be screened?

The following Southern Star Windows’ aluminium products can be screened:

• Sliding windows – 100 & 200 series

• Awning windows – 100, 200 & 300 series

• Double Hung window – 100 series

• Casement window – 200 Series

• Sliding Door – 100 & 300 series

• Bi-fold Door – 100 & 300 series

• Stacking Sliding Door – 100 & 300 series

The full range of Canterbury timber windows and doors can be screened, including Stacking Sliding doors, Bifolds and corner units as well as the full range of opening windows.

The following Southern Star Windows’ aluninium products CANNOT be screened:

• French Doors – 100, 200, 300 & 900 series

There are various methods of screening available for all of these products and more information can be found on the SCREENS pages on this website. Options include standard fixed screens for opening windows, a sliding screen doors for Sliding Doors, pleated screening options for Stacking Sliding Doors and Bi Fold doors, inclusive of corner units, and roll down screens available for the timber Bi Fold Servery Window. A variety of screen mesh is also available and your representative will be able to advise you about your particular needs. See more information about mesh types on the SCREENS pages of this website.

For aluminium products, the following flyscreens can either be fitted by our Site Service Department or fitted by yourself:

• Sliding Windows – 100 & 200 series

• Awning Windows – 100, 200 & 300 series

• Double Hung Window – 100 series

• Casement Window – 200 Series

• Sliding Door – 100 & 300 series

• Stacker Sliding Door – 100 & 300 series

• Bi-fold Door – 100 & 300 series – Must be fitted by our site service department

How do I fit flyscreens?

FITTING INSTRUCTIONS:

100 Series Sliding Windows
100 Series Sliding Windows are fitted to the outside of the window.
Place flyscreens into mullion/jamb of fixed panel (place into position as per picture) and then push into position. Making sure that pull clip is on outside (unless fitting upstairs)

200 Series Sliding Windows
200 Series Sliding Windows are fitted to the outside of the window.
Place flyscreens into mullion/jamb of fixed panel and then push into position (see pictures). Making sure that pull clip is on outside (unless fitting upstairs)

100, 200 & 300 Series Awning Windows are all fitted from the inside. Place on aluminium lip where winder is positioned (as per picture below)
Push flyscreen into position squeezing down flyscreens clips at top
Flyscreen should be sitting in position (as per picture)

100 series Double Hung flyscreens are fitted to outside using flyscreen bolts and fly corner tag (as per pictures)

200 series Casement Windows are all fitted from the inside. Place on aluminium lip where winder is positioned (as per picture)
Push flyscreen into position
Flyscreen should be sitting in position (as per picture)



100, 200 (South Australia only) & 300 Series Sliding Doors are fitted from the outside.
Position flydoor at a 45 degree angle and place into head (top) of sliding door into track closest to where your standing. then lower into position on sill (bottom) of sliding

100 & 300 Series Stacker Sliding Doors are all fitted same as Sliding Doors but on a external track (see picture).
If you wish to have flydoors fitted please advise sales representative and they will organise for tracks to be fitted in factory.
Otherwise it will need to be fitted by site service and additional charges will apply.

100 & 300 Series Stacker Sliding Doors are all fitted same as Sliding Doors but on a external track (see picture).

If you wish to have flydoors fitted please advise sales representative and they will organise for tracks to be fitted in factory.

Otherwise your screen will need to be fitted by site service and additional charges will apply.

How do I replace Rollers to Sliding Doors and to Sliding Sashes?

Sliding Windows

Option 1:
Remove sliding sash from track.
Place on ground upside down, and with a flat head screw drive flick out old roller, then remove new roller from plastic casing and place into casing that had old roller.
Once replaced re-fit sash.

Option 2:
Remove sliding sash from track.
Place on ground with stile facing up, then unscrew stile and remove from glass.
Slide out old roller from rail and slide new roller into position.
Re-fit stile back onto glass and screw back into position.
Repeat process on interlock.
(see picture for parts and manufacturing instructions)

Sliding Doors

Remove sliding panel from track.
Take out sliding door roller from position and then slide new roller into position (see picture).
Before placing sliding door panel back in sliding door make sure that track is clear of dirt. Place sliding door into position and adjust as required.

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What do u’values and shgc values mean, where can i find information about ratings on these for your timber and aluminium products?

SHGC measures how well a product blocks heat caused by sunlight. The SHGC is the fraction of incident solar radiation admitted through a window, both directly transmitted, and absorbed and subsequently released inward. SHGC is expressed as a number between 0 and 1. The lower a window's SHGC, the less solar heat it transmits.

U-Value measures how well a product prevents the heat from escaping. It is a measure of the rate of non solar heat loss or gain through material or assembly. It is also known as thermal transmittance or overall heat transfer co-efficient.

Windows lose heat in four ways. The rate at which a window loses heat through the combination of the four is called its U-value. It is the inverse of the R-value, so the lower the U-value, the greater the insulative value of the window.

For information on the ratings of all Southern Star Windows Aluminium Products click here.

For information on the ratings of all Canterbury Windows and Doors Timber Products click here.

What are BAL ratings, and how does your aluminium and timber products perform for each of these ratings?

In response to devastating bushfires in Victoria in 2009, Australian Standard 3959 was updated and republished AS3959:2009. The Building Code of Australia (BCA) referenced the new Standard on the 1st May 2010.

Follow the link to find out more details of the BAL ratings for particular aluminium and timber products in the Southern Star Group's range.

BAL Ratings

How do you use Brick ties?

Brick ties are commonly used for double brick houses. The clip onto the reveal fin which is on the outside of the frame. They are then placed in between the bricks and mortar. The images below show what brick ties look like.

Where can I view your product and what are the showroom opening hours?

Click the link below for addresses, directions and contact details of our showrooms:
Contact Us

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Is the timber for the Canterbury timber products sourced from sustainable forests?

All of our timber is sourced via Government managed forests. This means that no old growth timber is taken and that areas that timber is taken from are renewable forestry areas. We use a lot of engineered timber to keep our waste product to a minimum and therefore using as much of the timber as possible.

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How do I decide what sort of timber to use?

The different timbers that we use in the manufacture of our windows each have their own characteristics. Each has their own color and grain type, so depending on your requirements and the look you want to achieve we will have a species that will suit your needs. All of the species available are suitable for painting and staining, please visit the showroom for a more widespread view of the different types available to you.

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What different kinds of glass can you provide for your aluminium and/or timber windows?

The following list provides the names and features of the various types of glass that Southern Star Windows can supply with its windows and doors. You can also click here for more information about glazing options and how different types of glass can be applied:

Float Glass:

Float glass is a superior quality glass capable of standing today’s most rigorous performance standards; it is also the most common type of glass used in sliding and awning windows.

Toughened Glass:

Fully toughened glass is four to five times stronger than ordinary glass and is used primarily because of its safety features. Toughened glass is impact resistant and when it is broken it shatters into small, harmless cubes.

Grey Tint:

Grey tint glass provides colour and energy management by reducing solar heat gain, while retaining good daylight transmission and low reflectivity. It also provides reductions in UV. The tone and light transmission will vary depending on the thickness selected and this is a design consideration where colour uniformity is required. Grey Tint can also be toughened and incorporated into double glazing.

Laminated Glass:

Laminated glass is used most commonly when safety is paramount. Unlike normal float glass laminated glass does not break into harmful pieces when it is broken. Two panes of glass sandwich a resin core which allow the glass panes to stay complete when broken. Laminated glass helps with fading of furnishings and also helps with reducing unwanted noise.

Energy Tech:

Low E provides insulation that keeps your home or building warm in the winter by reflecting heat back into the room, and cool in summer by reflecting the sun’s heat back through the glass to the exterior. Keeping your home or building cooler in summer and warmer in winter, reduces the need for air conditioning and heating.

ComfortPlus:

Another type of Low E glass, ComfortPlus economically manages the heat of summer and the cold of winter. It incorporates a solar control component that in summer reduces the sun’s heating, glare and UV fading of interior furnishings. In winter, the ComfortPlus coating provides thermal insulation and reduces heat loss through the glass by over 30% when compared to standard glass, without heavy tinting or reflective mirror-like coatings that reduce natural light.

Double Glazed Windows:

Using double glazed windows helps maintain year round comfort by reducing the need for heating and cooling and hence minimising energy consumption. Double Glazing works to keep the heat inside in winter and outside in summer, reducing your energy costs and ensuring a comfortable temperature. Double glazed windows and doors not only provide superior energy efficiency, it helps with the right glass combinations (ie. Laminate) in reducing unwanted noise. Southern Star double glazed windows and doors are argon gas-filled, offering superior insulation when compared to standard air-filled double glazing.
Southern Star windows can also provide a range of obscure glasses. Please contact us to find out more information.

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Do you manufacture non-standard windows?

We have a standard range of product on offer but as the design style and type of homes develops and progresses, we also manufacture special and non standard frames to meet the needs of our customers and suit current trends.

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Do you have ready-made windows in stock?

We manufacture our entire product range to order and do not hold windows and stock.

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Can I make changes to my order once it has been placed?

Once orders are place changes cannot be made to the order. The reason for this is that when an order is placed it is allocated a production date and all aluminium material, glass and all other products require to manufacture items are ordered to suit each specific job. All products ordered from Southern Star Windows are made to order and no items are kept in-stock

This information is listed on quotations under Conditions of Acceptance Clause 1 & 2 which state:

1. All items are made to order. Windows and doors are non refundable
2. Alterations are not accepted after acceptance of this quote. Your signature verifies your acceptance of this quote

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